INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL MILNER (ITCH)

Spiky guitar melodies, unique, intelligent, strong structures, great vocals.All in a post hardcore way.Itch are surprising, witty, intense, emotional.A stunning band, in my opinion.They're one of the best examples of what modern rock should be these days.Mike Milner (vocals, guitars) answers our questions...

1. Would you give us a short bio of the band? What has happened with the band until now?

We met at school back in the sixth form. We rehearsed in a grotty garage for a few years and then began to take it more seriously. We are all self taught musicians and we are still learning, to be honest. Every song is a challenge in it's self. We began to gain a little confidence and put together a few demos. We released a cd our selves called 'Spiralling Paper Planes' which picked up some encouraging reviews and spurred us on a little more. We played a show with a band called AFRAID OF THE DARK; we got talking to one of the members after the gig called Alun Jenkins. He and a few friends had just started the label up and they really wanted to release something of ours. So we went into the studio and record 'The boy who cried wolf!' Unfortunately the label kind of fell apart mid release and nothing really came of it. So back at square one we managed to scrape some money together, and with the help of Alun we recorded some tracks at his house. The four tracks we did were sent out to every Tom, Dick and Harry. A company called I SPY PROMOTIONS got a hold of it and word must have got up to Kev at BIG SCARY MONSTERS that he should give this a listen. So he got in touch and we sent one down to him. A few days later he asked us if he could release an E.P or something.So we said what about doing an album? He agreed, so all we had to do was record it.Jon from RUNNING RIOT RECORDS got in touch at this point too, wanting to put something out for us also. So the idea was for BSM to release the CD and RRR to release the vinyl. We couldn't ask for more help even if we'd tried. We asked Alun if we could record with him again since we really loved what he'd captured on the demo. He said of course, and in the summer of 2004 we recorded WELL, WELL, WELL THREE HOLES IN THE GROUND. It took 3 days to record and around 3 months to add little bits and mix it. We couldn't have asked anymore from ourselves or Alun. We just can't wait to do another!!!! (Please don't let Alun hear that!!!! Only joking)

2. How would you describe your music to someone who hasn never heard it? What do you think you sound like?

We are just a Jazzy sounding indie rock band that doesn't follow any law of song writing.

3. Have you been really inspired/influenced by anyone? Where do you take your musical cues from-both now and in the past?

Well we'd be lying if I didn't say SPY VERSUS SPY. But each member of the band takes influence from a whole load of different music. That's what I really like about our band.

4. How do you go about writing songs? Where do you find your inspiration? What are your lyrics about?

Hours and hours of jamming goes into our song writing. Mixing and matching riffs seeing what works and what doesn't. My lyrics revolve around characters that are personal to my private surrounding. They are then twisted into kind of abstract stories. They are put together from notebooks that litter my house and are stewed over like the way we put the riffs together. It takes a long time to get them right. But that's how I like it.

5. I think that there are loads of good bands in Britain but the big media sometimes just don't notice or support a wrong scene. What do you think? Which is your opinion of the British music scene right now?

I think the big media knows fuck all about music to be perfectly honest. The British music scene? Hummm. I think there are some amazing underground bands out there in the UK doing their thing but a scene, A British scene.. I don't think there is one. Or maybe I don't get out enough. We just go watch bands play honest music and that shines through any studded belt or fancy hair cut.

6. What kind of role has the internet regarding music these days?

I think the internet has a great role in discovering new music. I use it all the time to find new sounding bands. I think for little bands like ourselves the
internet is a great help in getting your music heard by similar minded of people.

7. Why does a band like Itch need to sell thousands of records? Do you feel part of a scene? Are you close to like-minded bands?

We don't need to sell thousands of records it's never been about that. I'm afraid we have never felt part of any scene. Maybe we're not as friendly looking as we thought. But we are close to some like minded bands, which are our good friends, The Little Explorer and Pictures Paint Words.

8. You also do the artwork of your records...

A lot is taken from my sketchbooks as they coincide with the ideas behind the lyrics.

9. Tell us something about the producer you chose for your album, Alun Jenkins.

Alun is a close friend of the band. He's helped us since 'The boy who cried wolf! 'We owe him a lot. If it wasn't for him 'Well, well, well, three holes in the ground' would have never had been made. We were skint when we wanted to record it, he just said "I'll record and mix it.Pay me when you can". We just recorded the whole thing in the bedrooms of his farm house and mixed it down on the computer. It was a really relaxed affair and we had so much fun doing it. We are recording a new song to go on a single in July soon. So it'll be nice to see him again.

10. How difficult is for a band like you to get your stuff released properly? How did you get in touch with the labels which have released your stuff?

It is hard work to get people to help you. But you've just got to stick at it. Passion pays in the end.

11. How is your live set in comparison with your recordings?

A lot of people say they preferred us live than cd. We all really love playing live, the songs always seem to hit home better I think.

12. Which are the differences between 'The boy who cried wolf' and 'Well, well, well.'? Do you think that the sound of the band has evolved? What do you think people can expect in the future from Itch?

The difference is I think we play better now than 'The boy who cried wolf'.Of course we are still learning our strengths and weaknesses. But I think 'well, well, well…' took more risks than the boy who cried wolf. I know it's not as raw but structure wise it's more complex. We don't really have expectations for the band we just want make music that challenges ourselves and the listeners. What comes out of us comes out. If we knew what to expect I think the band would fall apart. Only time will tell.

13. By the way, what is the title of your album about?

The title is a riddle part joke my granddad use to say. A well, a well, a well, which is three holes in the ground. I really love the image it conjures up in my head.

14. I loved John Peel so I've done this question a lot lately. How does Peel's death affect to the British music scene? Which decent media are left in the UK?

John Peels death effects the underground scene because he was the only man who linked true music from the bull shit we hear everyday on commercial radio. Now he's gone well, I'm praying for a miracle. How about you? (Fernando: I guess you're joking, Mike ...)

15. Tell us something about your local scene: musical activity, bands, etc.

We are a bit out of touch with the scene in Leeds since we don't feel part of it, but check out The Little Explorer and Pictures Paint Words, two awesome bands.

16. I love to talk about music so...What other things do you like musically? What's on your stereo right now? What kind of bands/artists do you like at the moment? What were the last records you bought?

The last Cd I bought was the new album by VENETIAN SNARES. It's all crazy drum and bass stuff that never stops changing. Completely amazing. It's like electronic death metal. I always seem to listen to stuff that I would never write myself. I guess that's good though. I think.I know the rest of the band is really into 'And you will know them by the trail of dead' newest album at the moment.

17. Finally, what are your upcoming plans?

To record a new song for the single (Tables Turned).It's called 'IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE' then to tour in July and September with our new friends TIGER FORCE! Check them out too...By the way, Thanks Fernando for playing our music on that quality of yours.Cheers buddy. And thanks for taking the time to find out a little more on this band we call Itch.

MIKEx (itch)

If you want to know more about the band check their website www.thebanditch.co.uk

Interview by Fernando Pérez Herrero